EU transport and energy commissioner Loyola de Palacio on Sunday hailed the accord reached between Alitalia management and staff on a major restructuring plan aimed at keeping the struggling airline in the air.
"The Italian government has informed me of the positive outcome of negotiations between Alitalia and its social partners," De Palacio said in a statement.
She said the accord was a first step toward rebuilding the ailing company and ensuring its viability.
"I welcome the fact that everyone acted responsibly in this case," she said.
The deal, signed at dawn Saturday, would drastically cutting cabin personnel costs by 110 million euros (134 million dollars) and cut 900 cabin crew, union sources said - opening the way to a privatisation next year of the heavily indebted Italian state carrier.
Originally management had proposed reducing cabin crew staff on short term contracts by 1,050. The unions had hoped to limit the losses to 700.
Alitalia has already reached agreement with pilots and ground staff on measures to keep it aloft. The accord was reached after management early Friday set the unions a 24-hours to conclude an agreement.
The European Union commission in July approved a 400-million-euro (495-million-dollar) bridging loan for Alitalia to help the airline stay aloft.
De Palacio said the commission would issue an opinion on the company's restructuring plan once the Italian government submits it.
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